Yogurt as calcium intake

[gabriels mum]

Hi

My 9.5 month old has always been a terrible milk feeder (see my many posts in the bottle feeding forum!), but recently it has got even worst, and on most days we don't reach anything like the 500-600 ml minimum daily intake requirement.   For example a couple of days last week he only took 5oz all day!  Today he has gone to bed having only taken 8.5oz! 

We have tried everything, and do not want to cut down on solids, as he's not a big eater anyway!   I always offer a bottle before solids, but quite often it is refused!

We cannot force him to drink milk, & there is a limit to how much we can mix in with his food, as he would be on a diet of milk soup everyday!  So I was hoping someone could tell me how much calcium equivalent there is in a 100gram pot of yogurt, in relation to formula? 

Thanks

Gabriel's mum

[tylersmommy]

Here's what I could find...a 6-12 mo old requires 600 mg of calcium per day. 32 oz of formula provides around 425 mg of calcium. 1/2 cup of whole milk yogurt provides 137 mg.

We have tried everything, and do not want to cut down on solids,

Is there a reason why not? Formula contains a LOT of important nutrients besides calcium. You might post a sample of your routine (including amounts) so we can see if there's a way to help!

[gabriels mum]

Hi

Thanks for replying! 

The reason we don't want to cut down on the solids is on the advice of the HV, as she said that solids should become the main source of intake coming up to their first year, and as he's never liked milk, that we should push on with the solids, and try to get calcium into him in this form.

A couple of times when he's not taken his milk, we've not offered the solids, and it hasn't seemed to have made any difference to his intake of milk at the next few feeds. 

We have a daily routine, but amounts vary enormously for both milk and solids, as some days he doesn't eat much of either!

6.30am wake
7.00am bottle
8.00am breakfast at nursery (usually yogurt, as has gone off rusks/cereal!)
11.30am bottle followed by solids
4.00pm bottle followed by solids
8.30pm bottle and bed

As you can see, we are already 4.5hours apart for feeds, and bed is already quite late at 8.30pm, but by giving him 4.5hours from last feed, it's best chance of getting him hungry enough to take some!

[tylersmommy]

When you're cutting back on solids, it can sometimes take a couple of days to make a difference in bottle intake. Since appetite varies so much from day to day, it can be hard to know if that might just be a day when he isn't very hungry.

Your HV is right, solids should become his main source of nutrition, but IMO it's more important to keep formula intake up as best you can until you transition him to whole milk. If he just won't take more, then make sure the rest of his diet is healthy and balanced. Iron is important for brain development in the first 18 mo of life, so if he isn't taking much formula and is off his cereal, you might try using dry cereal to thicken his purees. Yogurt and cheese will help with the calcium and protein intake. Beyond that, a good variety of fruits and veggies will make sure he's getting everything he needs. Keep us posted and let us know how it goes!

[evanskimberley]

Have you tried giving him milk in a sippy or in a cup? He may not like the 'bottle'?

[gabriels mum]

Thanks for your replies!  We have tried a cup, and sometimes he may take a sip or 2, but generally if he's made his mind up not to drink milk, hell or high water won't make him take it!!  it is sooooo frustrating, and as it's always been terrible getting him to drink milk, I think he just doesn't like it!

I'll keep mixing in as much as possible, and will muddle through!  Just have to keep thinking that I cannot force him, and he won't let himself starve - just wish he'd drink 3 x  bottles of 7ounces, like it says on the tin!!!!

Thanks again

Gabriels mum

[LŠuren]

Lou

Have you tried a Staw cup, we realised Calum prefered straw cups on holiday when he kept taking water from our water bottles.

I bought one from Boots (12M + boots own make) on our return and he takes his lunch time milk from it.

I know the major problems you have had getting him to take milk, so good luck. 

Are you also using lots of milk in the foods you are giving him?

Lauren x

[Mom to M&M]

My DD greatly prefers a straw cup as well - once she got the hang of it.

What formula is your DS on? Can you try another and/or will your HV allow you to switch to whole milk early? Usually that's not done until one year, but in cases where the LO will not drink, allowances are often made early.

Also if your LO Is taking in so little formula he should be on a multi-vitamin to replace some of those lost nutrients.

Do you have yo-baby yogurt there? They make ones with cereal included with added iron - so that would be a better choice for a "formula replacement" than regular yogurt.

[gabriels mum]

Hi Both!

Good idea about the straw cup - I'll get one this weekend, and give it a go!  I'd do anything to get him to start guzzling milk!!

About the multi vitamin thing - I thought I had it sussed, as I'd found a "tonic" with iron in, that's for low appetite - gave it to him last Saturday about 1/2 hour after his morning milk, and he threw the whole thing up!  I guess it doesn't mix with milk well!?  I've been too scared to try it again, as he vomits and gags enough with lumps as it is!  I'm going to try this again, but maybe some time after a more substantial solid feed and see what happens.

Don't think I've seen this yo baby yogurt here, I'll have another look!  Also, not spoken to the HV about whole milk, as I've not had him weighed for a while - but will do if the straw cup doesn't improve things.

Lauren, we try to mix as much milk in with his foods as possible, but it's hard, as it gets too runny, and I already feel we are a little behind on the texture thing - can't win!!

Thanks again for your advice!

Gabriels Mum

[LŠuren]

Lou

I am not sure what 'stage' Gabriel is at, but have you tried;

cheesy mashed potato (not lumpy like mine  )
adding grated cheese to his food...

[gabriels mum]

Hi Lauren

Wow - the site seemed to have been down for ages!!!

Thanks for this tip - will try!  Am going to get on the home-made food thing again this weekend, as think I'm making problems for myself by giving jarred food at the weekends (the only time I feed him solids, as he eats solids at nursery during the week!).  I've just been frustrated by him not eating my home made stuff, and also by the gagging thing!

I'm going to try some finger food again, as I'm worried about our lack of lumps progress - just find it very stressful when he projectile vomits his entire feed when he gags!!

Is Calum quite forward on the chewing thing?

Lou

[LŠuren]

I started calum on rice and pasta, but what I did was still put it in the blender along with the rest of the meal, ts comes out more grainer and that was his transistion to more manageable lumpy food...

Have you tried the organix finger food snacks from Boots?  or toast with phili or jam on it.

[gabriels mum]

No, I havn't - I'm going to be brave and try some toast at the weekend - he's okay on rusks, but I think they melt rather than need chewing.  He's good at chewing his toys, just need to get him to chew food!  I think trying to mix milk in with his food has set us back a bit, as it's all still quite sloppy, and he doesn't have to make much of an effort to chew!

Thanks for the tip!